Fadeaway World spoke to five-time NBA Champion Gregg Popovich about the star center his franchise drafted this summer, Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4″ French big man has been dazzling NBA fans early into his rookie season but has been inefficient as a three-point shooter.
Popovich explained why Wembanyama has the green light to shoot and gave us a peak into how the Spurs’ staff is developing Wembanyama’s game for the NBA.
Ishaan Bhattacharya: We know Victor Wembanyama has been three happy to start the season, but his lack of accuracy has been a concern. On the other hand, he’s been extremely efficient near the rim and in the paint. Do you want Wembanyama to keep extending his range and be a three-point threat or should he focus on where he’s the best, which is within the paint?
Gregg Popovich: At this point, we’re in observation mode, if that makes any sense. We don’t know what his game is going to be. I think with his height and natural abilities, it’s wiser for me to watch him play and see where he feels comfortable. What are his innate abilities on the court as far as where he can be the most effective? Is it down in the post? On the wing? In transition? Should he be a perimeter player or a post player? Maybe all of the above. I think watching him for a while gives us a good indication of where he fits and what his most significant contributions can be for the team. We’ve given him the freedom to shoot threes and learn. Time and score. What’s an appropriate time for a three and not? What’s a contested three and not? But defense is mandatory, and we’ve spent most of our time disciplining him on that end so he knows what’s required and what’s needed to be a defender in the NBA, whether he guards a big man or a perimeter player, because he will be guarding both. That’s really been the emphasis as we watch him offensively.
The Spurs aren’t in a rush to make Wembanyama an MVP candidate by the end of his rookie season, even if the Frenchman is capable of progressing like that. The Spurs do everything by a system and have already empowered Wembanyama to be himself on the court in a way we haven’t seen the very structured coaching setup allow any other prospect in recent seasons.
Wembanyama has attempted an average of 4.5 threes per game through the first four games, converting at a less-than-impressive 26.3%. Most coaches would already ask Wembanyama to continue dominating within the two-point mark, but his willingness and ability to shoot threes constantly create matchup problems on the perimeter.
Gregg Popovich Previously Praised Victor Wembanyama’s Upbringing
Many people have been trying to paint a picture of Wemby possibly struggling to adjust to life in Texas, something Popovich had summarily dismissed. Pop highlighted Wembanyama’s multicultural upbringing and how he isn’t a starstruck kid who is confused in America but a very intelligent and well-spoken individual.
“A lot of these places (in the U.S.) are new to him but he’s a very inquisitive young man. He’s from Europe. They’re a lot more cultured than we are. They’re more civil than we are. They travel, speak languages. It’s not like he’s a dumbstruck young kid. He’s pretty worldly. This hype has gone on for a very long time. It’s an old hat for him. He doesn’t even notice it.”
Being cultured off the court won’t win you games, so it’s clear the Spurs are going to keep focusing on developing Wembanyama into the best prospect he can be. Whether that’s by being a 7’4″ Stephen Curry or by being a more agile and skinny version of Shaquille O’Neal to completely dominate the paint? He has a long career ahead of him, so we’ll have to wait and see.
Wembanyama has averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks so far this season. Fans around the world can see Wemby in action with NBA League Pass. Fans in India can tune in to Sports18, Sports18 Khel, and JioCinema for live NBA games and highlights.
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